- This comes after the six coastal counties on Tuesday received Sh3.5 billion grant from the European Union to support the Blue Economy agenda.
- The governors committed to supporting the EU-funded Go Blue project which will be coordinated by the JKP secretariat, the regional economic bloc.
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has been named the third chairman of the Coast Economic Bloc-Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani.
Mung'aro takes over from former Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja.
The first chairman was former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, who was deputised by former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
This comes after the six coastal counties on Tuesday received Sh3.5 billion grant from the European Union to support the Blue Economy agenda.
In a meeting held at the new offices of the Jumuiya Economic Development secretariat, the Coast governors resolved to have Mung'aro assume the chairmanship.
The governors committed to supporting the EU-funded Go Blue project which will be coordinated by the JKP secretariat, the regional economic bloc.
JKP chief executive officer Emmanuel Nzai said the governors reiterated their commitment to advance regional economic cooperation.
“The governors will hold their first Jumuiya APEX in November to review the progress and draw a roadmap of initiatives, Jumuiya 2.0,” he said.
Nzai said JKP is focused on championing the region’s economic development initiatives through innovation and partnership with the public, industry and academia.
“With the vast shared resources, a unique common historical foundation in culture and heritage, the vision of JKP is to catalyse economic growth of coastal counties through coordination of regional social-economic cooperation,” he said.
He said JKP will also catalyse the growth of coastal regional counties through policy harmonisation, and promotion of the regional assets for tourism and investment.
Nzai said they have received a new set of governors in the economic bloc after 10 years of devolution and that they expect them to cooperate in the development of the economic bloc for the benefit of the people.
“Lamu Governor Issa Timamy is the only member coming back, Fatuma Achani is a continuity from the first governor while Dhadho Godhana is a returning governor,” he said.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Mung’aro and Andrew Mwadime were MPs therefore they are looking at it from a perspective of what their dynamics are.
He said the first chairman was from Kwale, the second from Taita Taveta and now the balance has moved to Kilifi.
He said the new chairman understands the economic bloc and they are waiting to see what he will bring to the table to bring progress.
“The new set of governors will have an opportunity, especially the chairman who should work towards bringing other governors together and ensure they all have one voice,” Nassir said.
He said Mung'aro is a senior politician who is much aware of what the coastal region can bring.
Mung’aro extended his gratitude for being elected unopposed having been voted through a unanimous consensus by all the coastal governors.
“I thank my fellow governors of Taita Taveta, Kwale, Mombasa, Tana River and Lamu counties for the trust and belief in my ability and zeal to take this region forward,” he said.
“I am committed to the task and believe that with our unity as a region we shall meet the people's expectations and grow the economy of our region.”
Mung’aro said coastal counties need to collectively put their strength together and find permanent solutions to problems ailing the region, to restore the region's glory.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris